Wire-netting machine



(No ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet' 1.

H. K. SWINSGOE.

WIRE NBTTING MAGHINE.

No. 483,181. x Patented Sept. 27, 1892.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. H4. K. SWINSCOB.

WIRE NETTING MACHINE.

No.` 483,181. Patented Sept. 27, 1892.

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(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. H. K. SWINSGOB. WIRE NETTING MGHINB.

Patented Sept. 27, 1892.

@3M/W? uw UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

IIENRY K. SIVINSCOE, OF CLINTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

WIRE-NETTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 483,181, dated September 27, 1892.

Application filed May 21,1891. Serial No. 393,608. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY K. SwINsooE, of Clinton, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in ViraNetting Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention herein to be described is intended as an improvement upon the class of wirenetting machines shownin United States Patent No. 380,664, dated April 3, 1888. In the patent referredto the meshes in the fabric are of uniform size from selvage to selvage or throughout its width.

For many uses, as for poultry-netting, it is desirable that the lower edge of the fabric constituting the bottom of a fence as it may be called, composed of the netting should have small meshes to prevent the passage of chickens, dac.; but at a distance above the ground the meshes are larger, thus making the fence lighter in weight, and consequently cheaper. To do this automatically in one and the same fabric-that is, make a fabric in which the meshes vary in size between its selvage edges or across the fabric-I have devised the machine to be herein described. In my improved machine the main front and back carriages which carry the segments are divided transversely opposite the point where the size of the mesh is to be changed to thus constitute main and auxiliary front and back carriages, and inside the main and auxiliary front carriages I have provided an upper and lower rack. Ihe twisting-segments contained in the main front and back carriages are provided each with teeth, which are located on the upperhalf of that part of the segment between its bearings in the said carriages, in order that such segments may be actuated only by the upper rack. The segments carried by the auxiliary back and front carriages have their teeth located on the lower half of that part of the segment between its bearings in the said carriages, and these segments are actuated by the lower rack. That one of the segments in the axuiliary back carriage which is nearest the inner end of the main back carriage, which segment has co-operating with it at times one of the segments of the main front carriage and then of the auxiliary front carriage, will preferably have teeth covering the entire length ot the segment between the bearings. This particular segment is so made in order that when in operation it gets into the main front carriage orinto the auxiliary front carriage it may be engaged by either the upper orlower rack and be rotated, the particular rack engaging and rotating it depending upon whether the said segment is for the time being iu a hole in the main front carriage or in a hole in the auxiliary front carriage; but, if desired, the said segment may have teeth only on its lower half, and in such case it would be actuated by its own rack no matter with which segment it is coupled to rotate.

The segment referred to as belonging in the auxiliary back carriage next the inner end of the main back carriage contains that wire at the inner line of the fine-mesh fabric with which is twisted a wire which enters into the coarser-mesh part of the net or fabric. It will be obvious that for the production of the tinermesh part of the fabric the segments carried by the auxiliary front and back carriages must be closer together than the segments in the main front and back carriages. It will also be obvious that to effect the change of position of the said carriages, one with relation to the other, in order that the finer and coarser mesh may be made in the same fabric, the said carriages that carry the coarser-mesh wires must be moved enough farther than the carriages which carry the segments for the finer-mesh wires as the said meshes differ in width. To do this, I have shown the main and auxiliary carriages as so connected together that the main carriages may be moved forpart of their stroke in either direction and then pick up and move in the same direction with it its corresponding or connecting auxiliary carriage. I have also shown the upper rack as driving the lower rack, and means have been provided for to accomodate the movement of the racks to the requirements of the segments located in the different carriages. The relative length of the main and auxiliary carriages will or may be varied according to the fabric to be made, and the width of that part of the fabric which is to be otner mesh.

One part of my invent-ion consists, there- TOO fore, in a machine for the manufacture of netting, it containing mainfrontand back carriages provided with twisting-segments and auxiliary front and back carriages provided With twisting-segments, combined with independent rack-bars to rotate said Segments independently of each other, substantially as will be described.

Other features of my invention will be described in the specification, and made subject of claims at the end thereof.

Figure l is a front elevation of a sufcient portion of a wire-netting machine with my improvements added to enable myinvention to be understood. Fig. 2 is a left-hand end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail of the cam used to reciprocate the carriages. Fig. 4 is a detailof the connecting-lever between the main front and back carriages. Fig.5 is a sectional detail taken through the main front and back carriages in the line x of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a partial plan View taken chieiiy to yshow the racks, the said figure showing parts of the auxiliary front and back earriages, the means to connect the main and auxiliary carriages being, however, partially broken away. Fig. 7 is a partial top or plan View of a portion of the main and auxiliary carriages with their connections, said figure showing both the front carriages as having been shogged tothe left. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the parts shown in Fig. 7, chieiiy to show the upper rack in engagement kWith the gears, the tongue of the rack or other.

part thereof from which the rack derives its movement being omitted. Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8, chiey to show the lower rack and the gears which will be actuated by it. Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section in the line x8, Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 7, showing the front carriage shifted to the right from the position shown in Fig. 7. Figfl2 is a view, similar to Fig. 8, of the carriages and parts contained by them when in the position of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a section in the line x2, Fig. 7. Fig. 14 is a section in the line x3, Fig. 7. Fig. 15 is a section in the line m4, Fig. 7. Fig. 16 is a section in the line $05, Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, the framework A, the power-shaft A', the beveled gear A3 thereon engaging the beveled gear A4 on the worm-shaft A5, having a Worm A, the gear B, engaged by the said worm and fast on the mesh-roll B', the gears A7 A8 on the wormshaft, respectively engaging the gears B3 B5, fast on the cam-shaft B4, it having a cam C to act between the rolls c c', (see Fig. 3,) mounted on studs erected in a stand upon the main front carriage D, the back carriage F., the slotted cross-bars F2 F3 on the upright shaft F, mounted in suitable bearings F', the arm G5, having a suitable crank-pin G4 upon it, the connecting-rod G2, the slide G, running on the track G', the set-screws m3 m4, carried by the said slide and adapted to4 engage the tongue or lug 'm2, attached to the rack m, and

the cop-holding tubes g are and may be all substantially as represented in United States Patent No. 380,664, dated April 3, 1888, wherein like letters and igures are employed to designate like parts.

The parts so far referred to, with but a slight change in the construction of the rackbar m, being substantially as in the said patent, need not be herein more particularly described; but I will now proceed to describe my improvements as applied to the said machine in order to adapt a machine of either class to make a net or fabric in which the width of the mesh shall vary across the fabric. The main front carriage D and the main back carriage E are shortened in length, and at the end of the main front carriage I have placed an auxiliary front carriage DX, while at the end of the main back carriage I have placed an auxiliary back carriage EX. The main front and back carriages have a series of segments 10 12, which have their bearings in the said carriages at one distance apart; but the segments 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 (shown in the auxiliary front and back carriages) have their bearings closer together than the bearings for the segments in the main carriages, for the segments in the auxiliary car` riages will carry wires to make the liner-mesh part of the fabric, while the segments carried bythe main front and back carriages will carry wires for the manufacture of the coarser mesh of the fabric or net. Each main carriage is connected with its auxiliary carriage looselyor in such manner as to enable the main carriage to start and move for part of its stroke in either direction before imparting motion to its (2o-operating auxiliary carriage, and in this particular instance of my invention this connection has been made by a finger 19 on the main front carriage entering a loop 2O on the auxiliary carriage, the end of the finger entering the loop being of less width than the length of theloop,'so that, for instance, viewing Fig. 7, should the front carriage D be moved to the right the said carriage will move for some distance with its finger in the loop before the said Iingcr will strike the loop to start the auxiliary carriage D in the same direction.

Referring now again to the segments 10 12, having their bearings in the main carriages, each segment has gear-teeth, Which (see Fig. 14) are located near the upper part of that portion of the segment which lies between the upper and lower plates of the carriages, leaving an untoothed portion on each segment, the toothed portion being engaged by the upper rack m, the lower rack m', to be described and which I have added to the machine, lying opposite to the untoothed portion of the said segments. The segments 13 14 16 17 have, on the contrary, their teeth located near the lower end of the portions of the said segments contained between the upper and lower bars of the carriage,as represented in Fig. 15, and the teeth of these segments are engaged by IOO IIO

IIS

the lower rack m. For greater convenience, and preferably so, the segment 15, which is the endmost segment in the auxiliary back carriage EX next the inner end of the main back carriage E, is provided with a gear which substantiallytills the space on the said segment between the upper and lower bars of the carriage, as shown in Fig. 13, so that this particularsegment when the machine is in operation and the said segment goes in its rotation into a bearing in the auxiliary front carriage or into a bearing in the main front carriage may be rotated by either one of the racks m m. This provision of longer teeth avoids any possibility of either rack not being in just the proper position to engage that particular segment, and it also insures the correct running into and out of mesh of the rack-bars with the said segment. Viewing Fig. l0, it will be noticed that the upper rack-bar m is cut away at its under side to leave a space in which lies the auxiliary rack-bar m', the length of the space being as much in excess of the length of the lower rack-bar as the lost motion between the main and auxiliary carriages, or the said space is equal to the distance it is desired to have one carriage moved before the other.

To one couversant with the machine described in the patent referred to it will be understood that the wires taken from the tubes g and extended through holes in the segment will be twisted together, and then the meshes are made by shifting the carriages alternately in opposite directions, so as to place the segments of the different carriages first opposite one segment of the other carriage and then opposite another, the rotation of the segments decreasing during the shifting of the carriages.

In Figs. 7 to 12 I have shown but a few segments 5 but it will be understood that each carriage will have the desired number of segments distributed at proper distances apart and that the said main carriages may be moved as provided for in the patent referred to. I have omitted some of the segments to avoid confusion of the drawings. Assuming now that the front carriage D, with its auxiliary carriage D", has just been moved to the left, it will be seen that the segment 13, having one of the wires to enter into the iiner-ineshed portion of the fabric, is placed opposite thesegment l5, referred to, which also contains one of the wires entering into the liner-mesh part of the fabric. In this condition of the parts the rack-bars will be operated and will rotate the segments, twisting together the Wires carried by them. This done, the main front carriage will be started to the right from the position Fig. 7 into the position Fig. ll, and after the i main front carriage has moved a portion of its riage E, will not start the auxiliary hackearriage until the main back carriage has completed part of its motion. This change `of carriages will put the segment 10 inthe main front carriage opposite the segment l5, before referred to, and the rack-bars will then be reversed in their movement, causing the wire carried by the segment 10, it being a wire taken from that part of the fabric having the coarser mesh, to be twisted with the wire carried by the segment l5, belonging to the finer mesh, twisting the said Wires together. rIhis operation will be repeated from time to time as course after course are made.

Prior to my invention I ain not aware that main and auxiliary carriages having diderent strokes or having segments arranged at different distances apart have ever been employed in one machine.

l have herein shown but one set of auxiliary carriages; but this invention is notto be limited to the employment of one set only, as I might employ any number of auxiliary c'arriages arranged end to end, each one having segments properly placed to correspond with the particular mesh of the fabric or net to be made, each auxiliary carriage having imparted to it a movement for the necessary distance to enable its segments to come into proper operative position with any other segment with which it is to co-operate in twisting together the wires entering into portions of the fabric varying in mesh. As herein represented, the portion of the fabric of liner mesh is shown at one selvage or near one side; but it is obvious that with but slight change of construction the carriages holding the segments controlling the wire to form the finer mesh may be located iii any portion of the machine wherever the finer mesh is desired.

I do not desire to confine myself to the construction herein shown for reciprocating the auxiliary plates, as my invention broadly comprehends the employment of reciprocating plates.

The feature of starting the rack m to rotate the gears in the main carriages before starting the rack fm to rotate the gears inthe auxiliary carriages is a matter of great iinpor-v tance, as thereby it is possible to make in the same fabric in the saine transverse line of meshes twists of different kinds or characteras, for instance, the narrow mesh may have two twists and the wide mesh three twists at each junction of the wire. To do this, it is only necessary that the space between the two racks be sufficient to enable the rack m to remain at rest While the rack m starts and is moved sufficiently to give the segments l() and 12 one rotation, and then tlierack m may be started to move in unison "with the rack m to give all the segments in operation in all the carriages two twists. This facility for independent movement to be given to both the rack-barsand carriages, as stated, isan essential feature of my invention; but it is" immaterial as to the particular shape of the IOO IIO

parts for giving'motion to the carriages and rack-bars in the time and way stated; yet the devices shown herein are the most simple known to me at the present time. The feature, however, of putting different twistsinto the same longitudinal row of meshes of the same fabric is not herein claimed, as it forms the subject-matter of another application made by me, Serial No. 412,065, filed November 16, 1891, and a fabric having different twists-such as stated-will also form the subject-matter of another application.

l. In a machine for the manufacture of netting, main front andcback carriages provided with twisting-segments and auxiliary front and back carriages provided with twistingsegments, combined with separately-movable rack-bars, each to engage and rotate its own proper segment, substantially as described.

2. A wire-netting machine containing the following instrumentalities, viz: main front and back carriages, means to reciprocate them, twisting-segments mounted in the said carriages, auxiliary front and back carriages containing twisting-segments, separately-movable rack-bars, each to engage and rotate its own proper segments, and a segment having a toothed surface, substantially as described, and adapted to be engaged by one and then by both of the said rack-bars, according to the position of the carriages, to operate substantially as described.

3. A wire-netting machine containing the following instrumentalities, viz; main front and back carriages provided with twistingsegments, the segments in each carriage being located at a distance apart corresponding to a mesh of one size, combined with auxiliary front and back carriages having each a series of twisting-segments located at a distance apart other than the segments in the main front and back carriages to make a mesh of a different size, Iand means for actuating the said carriages one in advance of the other, as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a wire-netting machine, front and back main and auxiliary carriages and independent means to reciprocate the said main and auxiliary carriages, combined withl a twisting half-segment which rotates in connection with a twisting half-segment of the main carriage for aportion of the time and then with ahalfsegment of the auxiliary carriage, whereby meshes differing in width may be made side by side and connected together as one fabric, substantially as described.

5. In a-wire-netting machine, main and auxiliary carriages, substantially as described, and twisting-segments carried thereby, the twisting-segments of the main and auxiliary carriages, respectively, being arranged at different distances apart and having their teeth in different horizontal planes, connections between each main carriage and its auxiliary carriage, whereby there is lost motion between them, and means to reciprocate said carriages, for the purposes set forth.

6. In a wire-netting machine, shifting carriages provided with twisting-segments, combined with two superimposed rack-bars having their acting teeth in dierent horizontal planes and means to actuate the said rackbars to rotate the said segments.

7. In awire-netting machine, main and auxiliary carriages, two series of segments, one series for each carriage, and two independent rack-bars, one-half of one of the said segments being adapted to be rotated at one time by one of the said rack-bars and at another time by the other of said rack-bars, combined with devices to move the said carriages independently, substantially as described. Y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY K. SWINSCOE.

Witnesses:

BERNICE J. NoYEs, EDWARD F. ALLEN. 

